‘Very, very close’: Marco Rubio on India-US trade deal after meeting with EAM Jaishankar

The US and India are “very, very close” to finalising a bilateral trade deal, with only “a small number of items left to wrap up”, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said on Tuesday, as he used a meeting with external affairs minister S Jaishankar to urge New Delhi to increase energy trade and step up purchases of American technologies and systems.“I would say we’re about as close as you can be without having an executed agreement.

I think there’s a small number of items left to wrap up. So I think that will happen shortly –– we’re hoping, which it should –– and hopefully have some good news to announce fairly soon. And perhaps the leaders can sign it thereafter,” Rubio told the media.Jaishankar and Rubio review trade, energy and defence tiesThe two sides reviewed their bilateral cooperation, with the focus on energy and defence.

Jaishankar and Rubio, who travelled to India for the second time in less than five months with a large business delegation, met in Mumbai, the country’s financial hub, against the backdrop of persisting strains in bilateral ties over a range of issues, including the Trump administration’s unpredictable trade policies, enhanced immigration restrictions affecting Indian professionals and the US’s growing proximity to Pakistan’s military leadership.

At a reception later in the evening, Rubio hailed the partnership between India and the US as one that would shape the century. “I truly believe the relationship between the United States and India is defining in many ways, in a positive way, what the 21st century can look like,” he said. After the meeting with Rubio, Jaishankar said on social media that they discussed ways to further advance “our ties, focusing on trade, energy, technology, defence and people-to-people ties”, and exchanged views on regional developments.

Rubio said in a separate social media post that they “discussed energy security and defence cooperation while reaffirming the importance of advancing the US-India strategic partnership”.Also read: Rubio hails New Delhi as 'powerful, influential', says India-US ties will help shape 21st centuryWashington urges India to buy more American energy and technologyAccording to a readout from the US state department spokesman, Rubio pushed the Indian side to increase purchases of American energy, technologies and military and nuclear equipment.

Rubio “reiterated that increased energy trade with the United States can play a transformative role in diversifying India’s supply chains while meeting its sizable consumer demand”, the readout said.Rubio commended progress in bilateral defence and civil nuclear cooperation, and “advocated for the increased purchase of US technologies and systems, which can enhance the security and prosperity of both our countries”.There was no immediate response from Indian officials on Rubio’s comments.This was largely in line with the push from Washington during President Donald Trump’s second term for New Delhi to buy more energy, technology and military gear from the US.

While India has diversified its energy sources in recent months, Russia remains the single largest source, accounting for 44% of crude purchases in August, while the US was in third place with 5.1%.During a media interaction, Rubio described India as an important commercial and business partner of the US, a key member of the Quad and a strong strategic partner, and noted there is a “lot of defence cooperation” between the two sides.Also read: Rubio urges India to boost US energy, defence purchases in talks with JaishankarRubio stresses shared interests in a free and open Indo-PacificSpeaking at a ‘Freedom 250’ reception during his visit, Rubio said the two countries were aligned on the core issues of their national interest, citing the need for a “free and open” Indo-Pacific in which no nation can claim dominance or ownership over international shipping.“Of course there will be times and points of disagreement, but on the core issues that matter, the core issues that define the national interest of both India and the United States, the alignment between our countries is extraordinary, especially for two countries of this size,” he said.Rubio, who said he does not visit India as often as he should, described the region as one that will define how the history of the 21st century is written.

“I truly believe the relationship between the United States and India is defining in many ways, in a positive way, what the 21st century can look like,” he said.Also read: Marco Rubio India visit highlights: Rubio emphasizes India-US partnership on ‘superintelligence’ at Mumbai eventReliance refinery visit to focus on global energy securityA visit to the Reliance Industries-owned Jamnagar Refinery –– currently the world’s largest with an installed capacity of 1.4 million barrels a day –– is on Rubio’s itinerary for Wednesday, and he spoke extensively about the role of both India as a “refining superpower” and the Indian conglomerate in addressing global energy issues.Reliance is currently engaged in efforts to set up a large refinery in Texas, the first such facility to come up in the US in five decades, and is also a key purchaser of Venezuelan crude.Rubio told the media that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, Houthi attacks on energy pipelines in Saudi Arabia and attacks on refining facilities as part of the Russia-Ukraine conflict have impacted energy supplies, causing several countries to grapple with a diesel shortage.

Days before Rubio’s arrival in India, President Donald Trump waived sweeping new sanctions and tariffs under the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, a week after announcing a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release roughly 5 million tonnes of Russian diesel onto the world market.Rubio noted that Indian companies can play a role in refining Venezuelan heavy crude as more of it enters the world market, an issue he planned to discuss during the visit to the Reliance refinery.“They ha…